NAPLAN has concluded for 2023, with a record 4.4 million online tests taken by almost 1.3 million students in 9,390 campuses and schools across Australia.
It's the first time the annual assessment has taken place in March instead of May.
ACARA CEO, David de Carvalho, thanked the students, teachers and schools who helped make the transition from May to March as seamless as possible.
"NAPLAN 2023 was a successful test event and that's due to the close collaboration and preparation by all involved," Mr de Carvalho said.
"Having the tests earlier in the year means we will be able to return results to schools, parents and carers sooner, and that will help inform teaching and learning programs.
"I congratulate all students and schools for finishing the assessments that help us see whether young Australians are gaining the literacy and numeracy skills that are the critical foundation for other learning, and that support productive and rewarding lives."
In addition to the 4.4 million online tests, thousands of Year 3 writing tests also took place on paper throughout the test period. Marking is now underway.
NAPLAN's move from May to March is one of several improvements to the program taking place in 2023.
"Student achievement will this year be reported using proficiency standards, which provide simple and clear information on whether students are where they should be for their year level based primarily on what they have learnt in the previous year of school," Mr de Carvalho said.
"There will be 4 levels of achievement across numeracy, reading, writing, spelling, grammar and punctuation: Exceeding, Strong, Developing and Needs additional support, so parents and carers can see at a glance if their child has met proficiency.
"A new NAPLAN measurement scale and time series are also being introduced."
NAPLAN results provide important guidance to teachers, parents and carers. Research recently undertaken by ACARA found the top 3 ways respondents use results were as follows:
Principals/assistant principals:
- Monitor students' progress over time against the national measure.
- Set goals in literacy and numeracy.
- Target teaching in areas where students need more support.
Teachers:
- Target teaching in areas where students need more support.
- Set goals in literacy and numeracy.
- Assess what support students need in the coming year.
Parents/carers:
- Understand their child's strengths and challenges.
- See how their child's results compare to the national average.
- Be reassured their child is on track.
NAPLAN results will be sent to schools in Term 2 and parents/carers in Term 3.
